This is a discussion on car went for a swim within the General Maintenance, Troubleshooting & Accidents. forums, part of the Tech & Modifying & General Repairs category; So on Monday, I was at my gfs house and was leaving. The road she lives on is next to ...

car went for a swim

So on Monday, I was at my gfs house and was leaving. The road she lives on is next to a canal, and it flooded due to high tide and the rain.

I drove through it because I had to get home, and didn't realize how deep it was. As I was driving through it, I saw a minivan with the water up to the bottom of its bumper. My car is lowered.

I didn't stop, and managed to make it through, but the splash guard under the car ripped off a bit, and the whole underside was exposed to salt water. I also believe the salt water made it into the engine bay.

Today, I put the car up on a jack, and took the splash guard off. I hosed off the engine bay, and then sprayed some simple green all over it. While I let that sit for a bit, I hosed off the entire underbody of the car, then hosed off the engine bay again to rinse it off. I started to car to help it dry off.

Is there anything else I can do to ensure the salt water won't cause damage?

i planned on changing oil, tranny oil, brake fluid, pads and rotors in about another 1500 miles.

I wouldn't worry about it at all. The car made it through the water fine and has been working since then, so obviously nothing was really in a position to get damaged. Hosing it off was a good idea and I wouldn't worry about doing anything else.

Originally Posted by Mf645

You may be surprised, it's probably fresh water moving out to the ocean. Ocean water typically does not flow upstream

Yes it absolutely does. Tides will push salt water upstream in any river, stream, bay, etc that's near the ocean.

You should be fine. Since you didn't have to stop and you were able to plow through without incident, you should have a problem. Since your car starts and runs at close to your correct AFRs, I wouldn't concern myself. The major problem is when it sits submerged. The it gets into your trans, diffs, and anywhere else it can. You should be alright. I'd scrub the underbody of the car if you have access to a lift, normal hosing and simple green is no match for salt water.

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